Tabata could be sent down when Marte arrives in Pittsburgh

July 02, 2012|Reuters

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Tabata could be sent down when Marte arrives in Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Pirates are close to promoting their top position-player prospect, outfielder Starling Marte, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported Monday, quoting a high-ranking team official as saying, "It's time." The official also made clear the Pirates are plenty displeased with the recent effort given by current right fielder Jose Tabata.

A one-for-one switch?

Marte, 23, has indeed performed for Class AAA Indianapolis as if he's ready. After a .236 May that justified management's concerns about his strike-zone discipline, he has batted .332 over 30 games, with five home runs and 31 RBI. He also drew 10 walks in June, his most in any month.

When Marte arrives, he almost surely will play right field, with Alex Presley manning left. Marte is excellent defensively, and the Pirates usually put the better glove in left because of PNC Park's mammoth left-center gap. However, Marte also has an elite arm, and that would be better used in right.

Tabata has gone a respectable 6-for-18 in his past four starts, but that masks an abject lack of hustle that has infuriated the Pirates all season long. Manager Clint Hurdle has twice in recent weeks warned Tabata he could be demoted to Indianapolis if it doesn't stop.

The 11-2 rout of the Houston Astros on Monday might have been a portend in that Tabata was on the bench, while Marte was shifted to right field for Indianapolis while going 2-for-4.